Saturday, February 11, 2012

OK, When Does It Become An Obsession?

It started a couple of weeks ago, with the lull after the Holidays. I looked out the back windows at the snow covered gardens. It had beauty in it's simplicity - but the garden 'backdrop' of suburbia (egg crate backyards) kind of bugged me.

Like all the "Bunny" protection?!

Now I realize, this is the home and area we chose. It has been a wonderful place to be, and with the addition/renovation we did 4 years ago - we will be enjoying the upgrades for years to come. Maybe I have "garden envy" - of those that have mature and robust gardens?

(But then, I digress... because I could go on forever! P.S. Check out the many blogs I follow; there are so many gifted folks on the Blogosphere!))

So, between garden blogs, garden magazines and Pinterest - I have been losing my mind on 'next steps' in the garden in 2012. I've 'surfed', re-researched, down-loaded, tabbed pages, printed-out and finally, cut & pasted garden inspired ideas. Ultimately it took me back to my garden journal. I journaled for the last few days (why is spell-check telling me I can't use the word "journaled" - past tense of "journaling"). So, this is what 'a whole lot a crazy' looks like:

Bunnies' Buffet - 'Garden Central' 2012

Yes, that is a pair of scissors and scotch tape sitting next to my garden journal (deux). Yep, Post-its, too. I downloaded pictures of my "2012 Wishlist" plants for reference. A copy went in my "Garden" folder under "My Documents" on the computer - and another copy was printed out for the journal. (I'm a "visual" learner.) I also printed out photo copies of 2011 garden successes as well. Here are are few other shots, so the mystery of my mind & how it works might be revealed:

I L-O-V-E "Google Images" for quick reference photos
(personal use only, of course - not for reuse)

'Bunnies Buffet' Historical Reference - see it, read it, be one with it.

It does appear there may be a risk to all this printing, cutting and taping. The brand new (not so expensive) garden journal is already showing stress points. It will probably never close completely again:

"Composition Books" just don't hold up like they used to ?!?

So, I may not be the most sophisticated gardener, or garden blogger - but I sure get an adrenaline rush doing all of this. The more I look out the windows, the more I know the gardens will grow to encircle the front and back. I better check out the village ordinances on residential landscaping & start pricing bulk-purchase compost. More than ever, I aspire to sit in our backyard with a sense of serenity and sanctuary, thanks to the landscaping that surrounds me.

My question is ... is this type of activity, with it's current laser-beam focus on 2012 gardening, considered "healthy behavior" or has it become an obsession? It is "colorful" to say the least (I'm the girl that loved the "big" Crayola Box with the sharpener in the back!).

39 comments:

It might be an obsession, but it is a beautiful one :-) And you are so organized about it! I have sketches and scribbles and notes, but they are in a pile. I am the Post-It note queen, let me tell you. Gardens don't happen overnight, you know that. Little by little they come together. I've been working on mine for almost 14 years now (I try to do a project a year), and I look at the 20-year-old gardens and wonder...will mine ever been like that? We are always aspiring for our gardens to be more, to be better. I don't sleep well when I am in "the mode." I can't shut my mind down -- always thinking, drawing in my mind, visualizing the finished product. I'm sure I've crossed over the "obsession" line. I like the word "passion" better. Doesn't sound so bad :-) So enjoy your passion and keep planning and dreaming and doing, and one day you will have the garden of your dreams :-) Thanks for visiting my blog, by the way. Glad you liked my potting bench. Talk about obsession -- yeesh! I went over the details for days before we built it. All the planning paid off, though...just as it will for your garden!

Toni - "Passion" is such a better word! I'm going to embrace it. When you said you don't sleep well when you are in 'the mode', I had to smile. I go to sleep these days thinking of "the plan" - it's like my mind skips from one thought to another all night long. (I think I'm going to update this post to include a link directly to your potting bench post. It is a work of art!)

I agree with Toni. Passion is a far more applicable term. I just love the way you go about planning and dreaming.

I wish I was as organised as you. I love the idea of keeping a real Garden Journal like yours. As I've only really been gardening seriously now for around four years, it would be fabulous to plan out my ideas in a garden journal and see them through to fruition.

To be honest, the journal (and act of handwriting) help me remember what I've done and want to do. You'll notice I rely on photos & sketches most, because I can get lost (short attention span ;) in the 'words' if there are too many. AND cutting & pasting - it's like cheap therapy! :D

I had a paper garden journal for the last garden, with a few photos, and lots of lists. Now I've embraced new technology. I have a few well-thumbed books, everything else is graciously stored sorted SEARCHable on blogspot.

Got some large trees in a neighbouring garden, or a quirky roofline or garden feature that you can claim as borrowed scenery? I have a large box of watercolour pencils. His present to me, but he is the one who ends up doodling DIY plans.

EE - I love technology too. My family claims I've taken over all aspects of the family room (computer & tables, etc.); they call it my "garden domain"!

"Borrowed scenery" is an excellent idea, there are a few (mature trees, etc.). I've been researching garden 'features' - especially artistic screens. There are some beautiful things out there on the internet!

First, thank you very much for adding me to your pinterest, I recently open an account myself, but I am wth couple of projects and planning a future moving and its rather busy these days. And secodn I really love your post, it portrays very well the difficulty in having patience waiting for gardening time, shows your creativity and talent for narration. And if it is an obsession, what a perfect one!! I am also planning but still in my mind, the garden is still to come later this year. I've always loved the crayolas, I have collections of color pencils, and coils of sweing thread, I love color around me, maybe it's my obsession!!!

Hi Shyrlene - if it is indeed an obsession then you are not alone! I have the same collection of journal / paper / books / images / notes / crayons / etc / etc all over the place!! I even got terribly excited about finally finding one of those rulers/stencils with the circles that designers use to draw plants on their plans. I'm really becoming quite a garden geek! :)

Christine! A kindred spirit !! It was hard coming down from that adrenaline rush this weekend and heading back to work today (a much more pragmatic place & atmosphere). But I'm catching the buzz again since I've logged back on and been reading comments on this post --- gardeners just RULE!

You're a passionate soul! I love your enthusiasm; it's contagious and you inspire me to get more organized and colorful with my gardening aspirations. Thank you, too, for the shout out for my Texas blog! I really appreciate your sharing my garden with me.

Cat - thank you!! (My family thinks I'm a bit nutty, but they have their own 'vices'!) ;) In my research, I happily found out just how fabulous (and large) some of last year's "newbie" plants will look when mature. The "Morning Light" Miscanthus is going to be a super-star, to name a few. (I'm so stoked!)

A good obsession! Hey, people actually hire people to come and garden for them. Being a gardener saves money, right? Okay, well, except all that money we had to spend on plants we couldn't live with out...

Indie - thanks so much for the visit!! I have often thought, if I won the Lotto - would I hire someone to come and garden? ... and I decided no way (!), though I would commission local artists to create some wicked-awesome yard art! ;D (Oh, and I would buy a boatload more plants and get rid of more lawn!)

I think you already have a beautiful garden. And with all of your planning, you will obviously have improvements as time goes on. I have so many plans for my garden, but I have come a long way from just grass on a lot. Enjoy!

Sage Butterfly - thank you so much! It all is a labor of love that I never knew I needed. Your comment about "coming a long way from just grass on a lot" is perfect. Evolving gardens are SO much better. To think it used to be a "Chem-lawn carpet" with a few foundation arborvitae?!!

You look like you have things all organized, and are forming the perfect plan. What else is winter for if not for dreaming and looking and wishing for more plants and a 'better' garden (there's always something to improve upon). When spring comes, you will be ready and prepared. Good luck! And have fun dreaming!

Holley - dreaming ... I love that! It makes you feel like a bit of a kid again. There was a time (in the very, very early days of my garden) that I would be devastated when I would lose a plant (like Sweet William or Shasta Daisies). Especially if someone told me they were 'hardy' and anyone could grown them. NOW I know it's just an opportunity to evolve and improve. (It's good to have a "thicker skin"!)

As obsessions go, I'd say this one is rather benign. I actually think it's a great exercise to research, and take note of things you like. I did something similar when trying to articulate my thoughts to a kitchen designer, cutting out pictures of finishes and furnishings, and keeping them together for reference. Besides, what else are you going to do in the midst of winter, watch TV? This is much more practical ;) I just imagine what will happen to your garden come spring!

Clare - at least I know no one will be 'harmed' as I go crazy with my planning/reading/researching! And thank you for the "practical" feedback ... I'm using it the next time my husband or kids tell me to 'back away from the computer' while researching. (I'm going to start doing push ups so I have the stamina to start cutting out those new gardens!) :D

If its wrong to have that obsession then lock me away too..hehe! I love your passion and dreams for your garden, so many beautiful possibilities to make your yard a haven! I too am a visual learner and spin away many an hour on pinterest and the alike. I say Cheers to dreams and making it happen! So excited to follow your journey here Shyrlene..Cheers Julia xx

Julia - "Cheers to dreams and making it happen!" - I love that!! I'm still surfing that adrenaline high - weekends cannot come fast enough, so I can read blogs, find garden pictures in Pinterest and stare out the window planning the demise of the lawn !! (Woohoo!)

I got excited just reading about your planning and dreaming Shyrlene, go for it! Trees and shrubs, climbers etc will give you the privacy and sanctuary you crave,and knowing you are going to be there for a while means you can indulge in longer term plans. Your bulging journal looks like a wonderful source of inspiration, I really look forward to seeing what you do over the coming years.

Janet - I will always remember our common interest in garden journals and the fact that we posted about it at the same time (last year, around now?)!

Your recommendation about shrubs & climbers really struck a chord with me - especially in the backyard. There are 2 views in particular that really bother me - I found a "Diana" Rose of Sharon (pure white bloom) that might work for at least one of the views?

I love your garden journal and think it's a grand idea to organize your thoughts and plans in such a visual manner! I too love to be able to see as well as touch, taste, feel, hear everything. I am rather tactile and that helps me to plan my garden as well.

Hi, a white rose sounds lovely - and you can always thread a clematis through it too to extend the interest. My own journal is a little moribund at the moment, I am looking forward to having a new garden to dream about and fill a journal with ideas for.

Shyrlene, I love your notebook; I can't help envying your artistic skills. I also loved the big crayon box, although I didn't have one as a child and defined the girl across the street who *did* have the big box as "rich." (When I was in my thirties and earning a good salary, I finally bought myself that big box of crayons. :-)) I'm not quite in garden-planning mode, yet -- but soon. -Jean

Jean - you are very kind! We didn't get the 'big box' of crayons until my Mom could be sure we weren't going to break them in half. (It may have been an impulse buy from my Grandparents.) The 'garden mojo' was a surprise, but I figured I'd better ride the tide while I have it!

I call it a healthy obsession! Just enjoy the planning mania while it lasts. My planning season tends to be mid-summer, when it's too hot to do any gardening here in Austin. This time of year, our mild winter and early spring have me busy working in the garden, implementing some of the changes dreamed up in the summer. Fun stuff! And your fun time will be here soon too!

Pam - I am hoping I don't lose the momentum for a bit, since I have to remind myself it's not wise to start too early outside (since the Midwest is notorious for crazy weather in March and into April). In the meantime, it's been a bit of garden Nirvana watching 'warm Zone' garden bloggers playing (aka working hard!) in their gardens making magic happen. (I absolutely love your newest front courtyard garden!)

Jack - thanks for visiting! If you really want to see some 'progress', you should check out some of my original posts in 2010. Back then, we put on a new addition and the yard was scraped raw during construction. I started with a deep bed of clay and a 5" veneer of topsoil to start; mushroom compost is my best friend!

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About Me

My journey in gardening started from modest beginnings - with a couple of plants. I always have loved design & color, it just hadn't occurred to me to 'create' with plants. Unlike an oil or watercolor painting, gardens are a work in progress. So I can be as messy as I want, and happy as a clam!